December 04, 2005

Toyota Belta--a good replacement for the Echo?

Toyota just released the new Toyota Belta model in Japan. Although they will be releasing the Yaris hatchback at the LA Auto Show next month, the Belta looks like it could be a good replacement for the slow-selling Echo. It certainly looks better! Full specs after the jump.

Vehicle Outline

Sophisticated Styling Pursues Simplicity and Functional Beauty

Based on the Toyota-brand design philosophy "Vibrant Clarity," striking proportions—created by the spacious cabin characteristics of a sedan, a curved beltline and a long wheelbase—evoke a sense of vivaciousness.

Combinations of contoured surfaces create beautiful nuances to express a sense of class-breaching sophistication and presence.

A V-shaped form that integrates the bumper creates a front view with a sporty and open feel.

An extended cabin, restrained height and long wheelbase create a side view with a flow characteristic of a sedan.

The three-dimensional shape of the rear combination lamps conveys a sense of vitality, while the wide, lower bumper form expresses stability.

Superior Package and Numerous Luxury Items Create Comfort and Amenity

A superior package combines the appeal of both a compact car and a sedan to provide class-leading backseat legroom and cargo space. In addition, the car boasts a minimum turning radius of 4.6 meters, the best in its class (when fitted with 165/70R14 tires). The comfortable legroom (the distance between the front and rear seats is 905 millimeters) is equivalent to that of a sedan one class higher and is combined with an expansive, 475-liter (on front-wheel-drive models) cargo space.

The center cluster has a vertical format, expressing an advanced and sophisticated feel, while the central instrument panel and gate-type shifter take into consideration both visibility and ease of use. The center cluster also features a silver-like finish, and has a vertical liquid crystal display and a geometric heater control unit, conveying a progressive feel, while the placement and form of the easy-to-use switches enhance convenience.

The seats are formed from simple and gentle curves to provide comfortable seating with a good fit.

Numerous, highly functional storage spaces, including a wide console box with a lid (doubling as an armrest), serve to enhance the sense of luxury and utility.

The Smart Entry & Start System employs a Smart Key to lock and unlock the doors and a button to start the engine—all one needs is to have the vehicle key on one's person.

An automatic air-conditioner with a pollen-removal mode filters out pollen, dust and other impurities from the air around the driver.

A new air-cleaning technology, called Plasmacluster Ions*, which releases a balanced ratio of positive and negative ions into the cabin, prevents the propagation of airborne germs, mold and bacteria, and eases the occupants' stress.

A new suspension design enables brisk maneuvering and stable cruising, as well as a comfortable ride.

Body rigidity has been increased and vibration-controlling, sound-absorbing and sound-blocking materials optimally installed in various parts of the body ensure a quiet cabin space.

Class-leading Safety and Environmental Performance

The GOA (Global Outstanding Assessment) construction has been further evolved to create a body structure that effectively absorbs collision impact. During collision tests, the speed was increased to 55km/h from the previous 50km/h, with collision energy also increased approximately 20%, and the vehicle was subjected to omni-directional, vehicle-to-vehicle collision tests under stricter-than-normal collision standards. Through the use of a body structure that effectively absorbs collision impact, Toyota satisfied all independent targets for survival space and crash dummy injury.

The pedestrian-injury-lessening body structure has been evolved to further reduce pedestrian head injuries, pursuing a class-top level of protection.

In the pursuit of class-leading safety performance, the front-seat structures are based on the WIL (Whiplash Injury Lessening) concept, providing stronger seat frames and possessing greater backrest give, and were designed based on analyses using THUMS (Total Human Model for Safety), incorporating structural design that reduces stress on the neck during low-speed impacts from the rear.

All front-wheel-drive vehicles in the series achieve emission levels 75% lower than the 2005 standards under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles, and boast fuel efficiency that exceeds by 5% the level called for by the Japanese 2010 fuel efficiency standards*, thus qualifying for incentives under the Japanese government’s Green Taxation System.

Eco-VAS (Eco-Vehicle Assessment System)—Toyota's original comprehensive environmental impact assessment system—was implemented to achieve, as efficiently as possible, the overall reduction of environmental impact, from initial development to disposal, throughout the vehicle's entire lifecycle. LCA (Life-cycle Assessment) was also carried out, aiming to reduce CO2 and other atmospheric pollutants, not just during the use stage, but also during the vehicle's entire lifecycle, from manufacture through to disposal.

A review of the materials, processing methods and adhesives used for interior parts resulted in a reduction in the amount of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) used, and, thus, a reduction in the discomforting odors emitted from such compounds.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) the Yaris sedan received a "Good" overall score in the frontal crash test and a "Good" overall score in the side impact test on models equipped with side airbags but a "Poor" overall score on models without side airbags. Stability control was unavailable on all models until the 2010 model year when it became standard.